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MQ-28 Ghost Bat \u2013 Royal Australian Air Force<\/p>\nThe strategic alliance between Boeing and Rheinmetall to deliver the MQ-28 Ghost Bat to the German Air Force (Luftwaffe) represents the central commitment of both companies to incorporate a new collaborative combat drone before 2029. The MQ-28 Ghost Bat, the Luftwaffe, Boeing, and Rheinmetall, along with the collaborative combat drone concept, form the key elements of the program that seeks to equip the Bundeswehr with autonomous and modular capabilities in an increasingly demanding operational environment.<\/p>\n
The MQ-28 Ghost Bat was designed, developed, and manufactured in Australia for the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) and other allies, accumulating more than 150 flights since the program\u2019s inception. The platform is conceived as a collaborative combat aerial vehicle capable of operating alongside manned aircraft, generating critical mass in contested airspace and expanding the range of possible missions through a modular architecture that supports reconnaissance, electronic warfare, and weapons systems integration.<\/p>\n
MQ-28 Ghost Bat \u2013 Royal Australian Air Force<\/p>\n
Under the agreement, Rheinmetall will assume the role of system manager for the MQ-28 in Germany, with responsibilities for integrating the drone into the Bundeswehr\u2019s existing and future command and weapons systems. The company will also adapt the aircraft to national requirements and ensure operational, logistical, and maintenance support, while simultaneously strengthening the local industrial base related to fifth-generation aircraft and unmanned systems.<\/p>\n
Armin Papperger, CEO of Rheinmetall AG, stated: \u201cWith Boeing Defence Australia as a partner, we are laying the groundwork for optimally adapting the MQ-28 to the Bundeswehr\u2019s requirements.\u201d He added that, as the system integrator, the company will ensure that integration, operation, and development come from a single source, while driving industrial value creation in Germany and Europe. Papperger estimated potential revenue for Rheinmetall in the range of \u201chundreds of millions of euros.\u201d<\/p>\n
The MQ-28 Ghost Bat\u2019s modular design allows for continuous upgrades and accelerated expansion of its capabilities thanks to an open architecture. Within this framework, Rheinmetall will establish a dedicated digital environment in Germany, where German and Australian engineers will collaborate to test and validate software and hardware innovations, further strengthening technological sovereignty and national supply security.<\/p>\n
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MQ-28 Ghost Bat \u2013 Royal Australian Air Force<\/p>\n
Boeing Global President Dr. Brendan Nelson stated, \u201cThis is not just an alliance between our companies, but between two great countries, Germany and Australia, that share a similar strategy for integrating collaborative combat aircraft into their air forces.\u201d In his statement, he emphasized that the cooperation will allow the German industrial base to leverage years of Australian investment and innovation to deploy and evolve the platform for the Bundeswehr.<\/p>\n